PBKS vs GT: "Ashutosh Sharma's the player we're going to buy if we release Shahrukh Khan.."- Wasim Jaffer's sensational revelation

Former Indian cricketer and Punjab Kings (PBKS) batting coach Wasim Jaffer recalled Ashutosh Sharma’s IPL trials after the batting all-rounder’s extraordinary power-hitting against Mumbai Indians (MI) in match number 33 of the ongoing IPL 2024 on Thursday, April 18.

The right-hander showcased his dangerous mode to the world with his mind-blowing knock of 61 runs off just 28 balls studded with 7 sixes and 2 fours against the Mumbai Indians (MI). His incredible knock rescued the Punjab Kings (PBKS) from a precarious position of 111/7.

Even Ashutosh has almost steered them to victory single-handedly against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. However, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) fell 9- runs short of the 193 runs against the Mumbai Indians (MI).

Wasim Jaffer hails Ashutosh Sharma, recalls his IPL trials

One of Ashutosh’s sixes against Mumbai Indians (MI) star pacer Jasprit Bumrah stole the show in Mullanpur. He swept a yorker off Bumrah for a massive six, leaving everyone in awe. Meanwhile, Jaffer revealed that Ashutosh was surprisingly packed for PBKS even during the trials.

The former PBKS coach said that Ashutosh surprised everyone even during the trials, and now he is repeating his Syed Mushtaq Ali heroics in the ongoing IPL 2024, and he is happy for him.

Wasim Jaffer said on ESPNCricinfo’s “Timed Out” show: “Yeah, I mean, I remember when I was with Kings this season in the trials and he came into the trials with a good reputation and he surprised us. And he was in the mix that this is the player we'll probably go for if Shah Rukh Khan we are going to release and we asked him to stay for another day.

And he did surprise everyone. And I'm happy that the promise that is shown, sometimes Syed Mushtaq Ali obviously is not the same standard as IPL, but he's turning those performances into IPL, and playing this kind of knock in IPL is not easy and doing it again and again for four consecutive innings.”

Reflecting on the IPL trials, Jaffer revealed that Ashutosh showed his prowess against spinners, which was expected. However, he is surprised with the 25-year-old’s ability to handle faster bowlers effectively.

During trials, bowlers rarely reach speeds of 140-145 km/h, so Jaffer had concerns about his ability to perform against such pace, especially batting lower down the order.

However, Ashutosh proved him wrong with his sensation batting, as Jaffer was pleasantly surprised to see the PBKS star excel against the pacers, even world-class, in the ongoing IPL 2024.

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'Didn't think he'd be this good against pace'@WasimJaffer14 recounts Ashutosh Sharma's IPL trials #TimeOut #IPL2024 #PBKSvMI pic.twitter.com/QL6e59MRRR

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 19, 2024

Notably, Ashutosh has so far scored 156 runs in 4 matches at an amazing strike rate of 205.26 in his debut season. However, Punjab has not yet used his bowling expertise in the ongoing cash-rich league.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) will next take on Gujarat Titans (GT) in the ongoing IPL 2024 on Sunday, April 21 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.